117th Boston Marathon: Deriba Merga, a late addition

Boston – Deriba Merga of Ethiopia will return here in April to take part in the 117th edition of the Boston Marathon, which he won in 2009.

Merga is a late addition to this year’s event and will compete on the John Hancock Elite Athlete Team.

Merga, who also placed third in 2010, came in fourth in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Marathon. Last year he finished second at the New York City Half Marathon — one of the eight half marathons he’s completed in under an hour.

This year, Merga finished second in the Houston Half Marathon in January and fourth at the Paris Half Marathon in March.

His personal best in the marathon is 2:06:38.